Movement & Positioning

Position Specific Movement 

Of all the skill groups within the goaltending domain, position- specific movement represents the foundation of the goaltenders game. The first stage of development involves a goaltender being able to move efficiently around the crease. Mobility is a pre- requisite to the ongoing stages of development.

Angle, Depth, Body Position

An optimal position can be defined as that position which provides maximum coverage of the net. Furthermore, it is a combination of a goalies angle, depth, and body. This further leads to a variety of benefits within a goalies game in regards to reducing the amount of net available to the puck- carrier, reducing limb movement for the initial save, and overall control on the response to the shot. 

Post- Save Response 

A controlled save execution leads to a goalkeeper's post-save response. The greater the level of control that the goalie has coming out of the initial save, the more dynamic the post-save move. This may be facilitated by a feet to feet transition, knees to feet, or knees to knees.

Net Play

Post- Integration

It is important to understand that in games scoring chances are originating more and more out of the corners and up by the hashmarks. With this said, it is crucial that you have proper post integration when you arrive to your post. At the advanced and high performance clinics goalies will explore post- integration on their feet and knees.

Tracking on feet

In the case of a wraparound the goalie must be able to track the puck- carrier effectively without panicking. Within this topic of tracking a goalie will develop a system of opening up windows to provide them with vision to the puck. With proper tracking a goalie can read the attack that is being initiated. 

Wraparounds and Jams

In the case of a wraparound or jam the goalie will require strong post- integration and coverage with zero holes. The goalie should look to conntect their equipment to the post tightly and then handle the attack.

Overlap

In the case of a walkout from above or below the goal line the goalie must be able to adjust thier body position to be centred to the puck- carrier overlapping the post. 

Pass- Outs

Pass- outs below the goal line are a common theme for scoring chances. It is critical that goalies create a system around the puck- carrier and the threat that aligns with the proper angle, body position, and depth - the three priorities of their coverage. 

Reaction Ability

Vision

The focus on the shot once the puck is released is the factor that dictates how a goaltender will accurately stop the puck. In addition, there is a lead up process that determines the focus and accuracy required for the goaltender to complete the save. 

Stick/ Pad/ Body Usage

 Pucks that are shot  and remain on the ice are controlled by a goalies stick or pads. A goaltender must develop the ability to push, steer, and elevate pucks to provide them with a controlled response to shots on the ice. 

Glove/ Blocker Usage

Activating a goalies hands comes into play mainly when a goalie must react to pucks shot outside of their shoulders and hips. The use of a goalies glove and blocker is a great tool that must be excelled in to control pucks, and can further advance a goalies rebound control habits as they move forward in the game to higher levels of play. 

General Rebound Control 

Puck Acceptance and Puck Collection are two standard areas of rebound control that must be acquired and maintained by a goalie to excel at keeping the game calm.

Hockey IQ

Screens 

Shots from the point account for a high percentage of scoring attempts on the goaltender’s net. The shot itself is rarely a dangerous play, however, with offensive players in front or driving the net many complications can develop. With this said, it is important that the goalie develops a system to maintain their vision, depth, and body position on the puck.

Deflections 

Handling deflections requires a goalie to understand the response time that they have when reading the initial shot from the puck- carrier and acknowledging the threats around them. Once the goaltender develops strong understanding of their response time and awareness of threats they can then build on their coverage adjustments as a deflection is made from the threat. 

Lateral Feeds

In- Zone offensive attacks include a variety of wide and narrow lateral feeds, staggered and low to high or high to low options. A goaltender must develop superior ice awareness and understanding of threats to excel in these areas. Furthermore, preparation over time and exposure to these situations in games allows a goaltender to predict options. 

Battle & Compete

Rebounds - Change in direction

Rotate before you activate. It is crucial that a goaltender develops the habit of aligning their shoulders and hips before they load and activate their backside edge. Change in direction drills will drive home this habit correlating to a strong movement response by the goaltender. 

Desperation Saves

Immediate centre net coverage protection is the motive motive behind desperation saves. Coverage should be layered from the ice up when facilitating any desperation move. 

Breakaways 

To achieve success on one of the most exciting plays in hockey a goaltender must have a firm strategy in place. We systemize this approach with a standard tactical breakdown of 6 steps for the goaltender to prepare and read the 1v0 attack.

Puck Handling

Passing

As a goalie transitions from the introductory stages to the advanced and high performance levels it is important that they contribute to the team unit and handle pucks above and below the goal line and initiate breakout options when required to.

Stick handling Fundamentals

The goalie with the ability to handle the puck in a confident controlled manner provides their team with opportunities to control the puck with continued possession. The best puck handlers are the ones that are under the radar and have control along with intelligence for their decision making to process the appropriate play to make.

Dump- Ins

The goalies ability to handle pucks shot on net from outside of the blue line has a direct relationship to the goalies stance and coordination to adjust their lower body and hands to control the puck.

Rims

The goalie that handles rims by setting them properly for their defensemen ultimately provide to the breakout contributing to moving the puck up ice more efficiently. 

Up- Ice Awareness

Along with handling pucks a goalie must understand the approaching threats that move in on a forecheck. Up- ice awareness and overall vision of the attack is critical before options to set or pass the puck are initiated.